Medical Valve with Improved Back-Pressure Sealing

ABSTRACT

A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a rigid member movably mounted within the housing, and a resilient member with a sealing portion. The housing also has at least one relief zone that is in fluid communication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode. The rigid member may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow channel. The relief zone may be radially outward from the sealing portion. The sealing portion may seal the valve and prevent fluid from passing through the valve when in the closed mode.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/219,319, filed Jun. 22, 2009, entitled, “MedicalValve with Improved Back-Pressure Sealing,” and naming William Siopes,Luis Maseda and Ian Kimball as inventors, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to medical valves and, moreparticularly, the invention relates to improving resistance toproximally directed forces in medical valves.

BACKGROUND ART

In general terms, medical valving devices often act as a sealed portthat may be repeatedly accessed to non-invasively inject fluid into (orwithdraw fluid from) a patient's vasculature. Consequently, a medicalvalve permits the patient's vasculature to be freely accessed withoutrequiring the patient's skin be repeatedly pierced by a needle.

Medical personnel insert a medical instrument into the medical valve toinject fluid into (or withdraw fluid from) a patient who has anappropriately secured medical valve. Once inserted, fluid may be freelyinjected into or withdrawn from the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a medicalvalve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and aclosed mode that prevents fluid flow. The medical valve has a housingwith an inlet, an outlet, and at least one relief zone that is in fluidcommunication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode. Themedical valve may also have a plug member that is movably mounted withina passageway. The plug member has a proximal end, a distal end, and ahole between its proximal and distal ends. The valve may also have agland member with a first seal member that seals the hole when the valveis in the closed mode. The relief zone may be radially outward of theseal member.

In some embodiments, the medical valve may also have a second sealmember located proximal to the hole when the valve is in the closedmode. In such embodiments, the first seal member may be located distalto the hole when the valve is in the closed mode. The first and secondseal members may be o-rings and may or may not be integral to the glandmember. The housing of the medical valve may have a plurality of ribs,that define the relief zone(s). The housing may also have a shelfportion that, in conjunction with the ribs, supports a portion of thegland member. Additionally, the housing may have guide posts at theoutlet of the valve that center the plug member within the outlet as theplug member moves distally. In some embodiments, the shelf portion andthe guide posts may be part of the ribs.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the relief zone(s) may beconfigured such that a proximally directed pressure within the valveincreases the seal at the hole by creating a radially inward pressure onthe resilient member and the first and/or second seal member(s). As thevalve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode, the glandmember may deform into the relief zone.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention, aresilient member for a medical valve having a housing with an inlet andan outlet may include a body portion and a first seal member. The bodyportion may be located within the housing, and at least a portion of thebody portion may be supported by the housing. The housing may at leastone relief zone in fluid communication with the outlet of the valve. Thefirst seal member may create a first seal against a plug member that ismoveably mounted within a passageway in the valve. The first seal membermay seal a hole in the plug member when the valve is in the closed mode.The relief zone may be radially outward of the first seal member.

In other embodiments, the resilient member may have a second seal memberthat is located proximal to the hole when the valve is in the closedmode. In such embodiments, the first seal member may be located distalto the hole when the valve is in the closed mode. The first and secondseal members may be o-rings and may or may not be integral to theresilient member.

The housing may include a shelf portion and a plurality of rib members,which define the relief zone(s), The shelf portion may support theresilient member within the housing and, during valve operation, thebody portion of the resilient member may deform into the relief zones.The relief zone(s) may be configured such that, in the presence of aproximally directed pressure within the valve, fluid entering the reliefzone applies a radially inward pressure on the resilient member andincreases the seal at the hole.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention a housingfor a medical valve includes a proximal portion with an inlet, and adistal portion with an outlet. The proximal portion and the distalportion may secure a resilient member within the interior of thehousing. The resilient member or seal members located on the resilientmember may seal a transverse hole location in a plug member. The housingmay also have a relief zone in fluid communication with the outlet. Inthe presence of a proximally directed pressure through the medicalvalve, the relief zone may be configured to increase the seal providedby the resilient member and/or seal members. The relief zone may beradially outward of the hole.

A shelf portion located within the distal portion of the housing maysupport the resilient member. Additionally, the housing may also have aplurality of rib members located within the distal portion. Theplurality of rib members may define the relief zone(s). The resilientmember may include a first seal member located proximal to the hole anda second seal member located distal to the hole. The first seal memberand the second seal member may seal the hole, and the proximallydirected pressure through the valve may increase the seal created by thefirst and second seal members around the hole. The relief zone may beradially outward of the second seal member. The housing may also haveguide posts at the outlet that center the plug member within the outletas the plug member moves distally and/or proximally.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention, amedical valve having an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closedmode that prevents fluid flow may include a housing, a rigid member, anda resilient member. The housing may have an inlet, an outlet, and atleast one relief zone in fluid communication with the outlet when thevalve is in the closed mode. The rigid member may be moveably mountedwithin the passageway. The rigid member may also have a proximal end, adistal end, and a flow channel passing through it. The flow channel mayhave an opening nearer the distal end of the rigid member. The resilientmember may have a proximal portion and sealing portion with a normallyclosed aperture. The sealing portion may be distal to the proximalportion, and the relief zone may be radially outward of the sealingportion. The sealing portion may seal the valve and prevent fluid frompassing through the valve when in the closed mode.

The medical valve may also have plurality of ribs that define the reliefzone(s). The relief zone(s) may be configured such that a proximallydirected pressure within the valve increases the seal provided by thesealing portion by creating a radially inward pressure on the sealingportion and the aperture. During valve actuation, a portion of theresilient member may deform into the relief zone(s) as the valvetransitions from the closed to open modes.

In accordance with other embodiments, the rigid member may be a cannula.The cannula may pass through the aperture within the sealing portionwhen the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode tocreate fluid communication between the valve inlet and valve outlet.Alternatively, the rigid member may be an actuator with a body portionand a plurality of leg members extending from the body portion. Distalmovement of the actuator may cause the leg members to interact with theresilient member to open the aperture, which, in turn, transition thevalve from the closed to the open mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understoodby reference to the following detailed description, taken with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows one use of a medical valve configured inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A schematically shows a perspective view of a medical valveconfigured in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B schematically shows a perspective view of a medical valve ofFIG. 2A with a Y-site branch.

FIG. 3A schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the valve shown inFIG. 2A in the closed mode along line 3A-3A.

FIG. 3B schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the valve shown inFIG. 2A in the closed mode along line 3B-3B.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the valve shown inFIG. 2A in the open mode along line 3A-3A.

FIG. 5A schematically shows a detail view of the area 1 shown in FIG.3A, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B schematically shows a detail view of the area 2 shown in FIG.3B, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a pie-cut sectional view of the valve outlet,in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B schematically show alternative embodiments of the valveoutlet with differing numbers of ribs, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a medical valvein the open mode, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A schematically shows an additional alternative embodiment of amedical valve having a solid ring seal, in accordance with additionalembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9B schematically shows a detail view of the solid ring seal area ofthe medical valve shown in FIG. 9A, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10A schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an alternativeembodiment of a medical valve in the closed mode, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10B schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the medical valveshown in FIG. 10A in the open mode, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 schematically shows a valve outlet of the medical valve shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an additionalembodiment of a medical valve in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 schematically shows a perspective view of an alternativeactuator in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In illustrative embodiments, a medical valve has a relief zone that isin fluid communication with a valve outlet. The relief zone provides thevalve with dynamic sealing in the presence of a proximally directedpressure. Details of illustrative embodiments are discussed below.

FIG. 1 schematically shows one illustrative use of a medical valve 10configured in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.In this example, a catheter 70 connects the valve 10 with a patient'svein (the patient is identified by reference number 30). Adhesive tapeor similar material may be coupled with the catheter 70 and patient'sarm to ensure that the valve remains in place.

After the valve 10 is in place, a nurse, doctor, technician,practitioner, or other user (schematically identified by referencenumber 20) may intravenously deliver medication to the patient 30, whois lying in a hospital bed. To that end, after the valve is properlyprimed and flushed (e.g., with a saline flush), the nurse 20 swabs thetop surface of the valve 10 to remove contaminants. Next, the nurse 20uses a medical instrument (e.g., a syringe having a distally locatedblunt, luer tip complying with ANSI/ISO standards) to inject medicationinto the patient 30 through the valve 10. For example, the medicalpractitioner 20 may use the valve 10 to inject drugs such as heparin,antibiotic, pain medication, other intravenous medication, or otherfluid deemed medically appropriate. Alternatively, the nurse 20 (orother user) may withdraw blood from the patient 30 through the valve 10.

The medical valve 10 may receive medication or other fluids from othermeans, such as through a gravity feed system 45. In general, traditionalgravity feeding systems 45 often have a bag 50 (or bottle) containing afluid (e.g., anesthesia medication) to be introduced into the patient30. The bag 50 (or bottle) typically hangs from a pole 47 to allow forgravity feeding. The medical practitioner 20 then connects thebag/bottle 50 to the medical valve 10 using tubing 60 having an attachedblunt tip. In illustrative embodiments, the blunt tip of the tubing hasa luer taper that complies with the ANSI/ISO standard. After the tubing60 is connected to the medical valve 10, gravity (or a pump) causes thefluid to begin flowing into the patient 30. In some embodiments, thefeeding system 45 may include additional shut-off valves on the tubing60 (e.g., stop-cock valves or clamps) to stop fluid flow without havingto disconnect the tubing 60 from the valve 10. Accordingly, the valve 10can be used in long-term “indwell” procedures.

After administering or withdrawing fluid from the patient 30, the nurse20 should appropriately swab and flush the valve 10 and catheter 70 toremove contaminants and ensure proper operation. As known by thoseskilled in the art, there is a generally accepted valve swabbing andflushing protocol that should mitigate the likelihood of infection.Among other things, as summarized above, this protocol requires properflushing and swabbing before and after the valve is used to deliverfluid to, or withdraw fluid from the patient.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the valve 10 has a housing 100 forming aninterior having a proximal port 110 for receiving the instrument 40, anda distal port 122. The valve 10 has an open mode that permits fluid flowthrough the valve 10, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow throughthe valve 10. To that end, the interior contains a valve mechanism thatselectively controls (i.e., allow/permits) fluid flow through the valve10. The fluid passes through a complete fluid path that extends betweenthe proximal port 110 and the distal port 122.

It should be noted that although much of the discussion herein refers tothe proximal port 110 as an inlet, and the distal port 122 as an outlet,the proximal and distal ports 110 and 120 also may be respectively usedas outlet and inlet ports. Discussion of these ports in eitherconfiguration therefore is for illustrative purposes only.

The valve 10 is considered to provide a low pressure seal at itsproximal end 110. To that end, the proximal end 110 of the medical valve10 has a resilient proximal gland 80 with a resealable aperture 130 thatextends entirely through its profile. The aperture 130 may, for example,be a pierced hole or a slit. Alternatively, the proximal gland 80 may bemolded with the aperture 130. In some embodiments, when the valve 10 isin the closed mode, the aperture 130 may be held closed by the innersurface of the housing 100. In that case, the inner diameter of theproximal port 110 is smaller than the outer diameter of the proximalgland 80 and thus, the proximal port 110 squeezes the aperture 130closed. Alternatively, the resilient member may be formed so that theaperture 130 normally stays closed in the absence of a radially inwardforce provided by the inner diameter of the proximal port 110. In otherwords, the proximal gland 80 is formed so that the aperture 130 normallyis closed.

The proximal gland 80 may be flush with or extend slightly above theexterior inlet face 140 of the inlet housing 160. The proximal gland 80and the exterior inlet face 140 thus present a swabbable surface, i.e.,it may be easily wiped clean with an alcohol swab, for example, or otherswab. Alternatively, the proximal gland 80 can be molded over theproximal port 110 to provide the swabbable surface. Such valvestypically have been referred to in the art as “swabbable valves.”Various other embodiments, however, may relate to other types of valvesand thus, not all embodiments are limited to swabbable valves. Inaddition, some embodiments may be used with instruments 40 having blunttips that do not comply with the ANSI/ISO luer standard.

The outside surface of the valve proximal port 110 may also have inletthreads 90 for connecting the medical instrument 40. Alternatively or inaddition, the proximal end may have a slip design for acceptinginstruments 40 that do not have a threaded interconnect. In a similarmanner, the distal end of the valve 10 has a skirt 150 containingthreads 280 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) for connecting a threaded port of thecatheter of FIG. 1, or a different medical instrument, to the valvedistal port 122. The proximal end inlet threads 90 and the distal endthreads 280 preferably comply with ANSI/ISO standards (e.g., they areable to receive/connect to medical instruments complying with ANSI/ISOstandards). In addition to the threads described above, the internalgeometry of the inlet housing 160 (e.g., shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) maytaper in an opposite direction to that of a standard luer taper.

It should be noted that the above embodiments describe a medical valve10 in which the proximal port 110 and the distal port 122 are alignedwith one another. However, in various other embodiments of the presentinvention, the medical valve 10 can include a Y-site branch 100A (e.g.,see FIG. 2B). The Y-site branch 100A may extend from the housing 100 toform a Y-site channel. The Y-site channel may be in fluid communicationwith the valve distal port 122. To ensure sterility, the Y-site channelmay have a resilient diaphragm, or a valve of some type. Alternatively,the Y-site channel may have no valving means.

FIG. 3A schematically shows the cross section of the valve shown in FIG.2A along the line 3A-3A. FIG. 3B schematically shows the cross sectionof the valve shown in FIG. 2A along the line 3B-3B. FIGS. 3A and 3B showthe valve 10 in the closed position when no medical instrument or otherinstrument is inserted through the proximal port 110. As shown, thehousing 100 includes an inlet housing 160 and an outlet housing 170,which connect together to form the interior of the medical valve 10.Within the interior, the medical valve 10 has a valve mechanism. Theinlet housing 160 and the outlet housing 170 may be joined together in avariety of ways, including a snap-fit connection, ultrasonic welding,plastic welding, or other method conventionally used in the art.

The internal valve mechanism controls fluid flow through the valve 10.The valve mechanism includes a stretchable and compressible gland 300(e.g., a resilient member) secured between the inlet housing 160 andoutlet housing 170, and a rigid and longitudinally movable cannula 310secured within the valve 10 by the gland 300, which, as described ingreater detail below, prevents fluid flow through the cannula 310 (e.g.,a plug member) when the valve is in the closed mode.

The cannula 310 includes a proximal section and a distally located thinsection. In illustrative embodiments, the thin section is a hollowneedle (identified by reference number “312”) that, together with theproximal section, form a flow channel 314. Alternatively, the cannula310 can have a larger inner diameter. The needle 312 is open at itsproximal end, closed at its distal end, and has a hole 316 (e.g., atransverse hole) in its side just proximal to its distal end. When inthe closed position, the hole 316 is sealed by seal members 320A and320B. The interaction of the seal members 320A and 320B with the cannula310 will be discussed in greater detail below.

It is important to note that, although the needle 312 is described aboveas having a single hole, other embodiments of the present invention mayhave multiple holes within the needle 312. For example, the needle 312can have a transverse hole that essentially creates two holes spaced 180degrees apart. Alternatively, the needle can have three or more holesspaced radially apart from one another along the diameter of the needle.

It is also important to note that, although the hole 316 is describedabove as being just proximal to the needle's distal end, otherembodiments of the present invention may have the hole 316 located atother positions along the length of the needle 312. For example, thehole 316 may be located at a mid-point of the needle 312 or close to theproximal end of the needle 312. Therefore, depending on the location ofthe hole 316, the hole 316 may be located adjacent to and radiallyinward of the relief zones 530 (described in greater detail below)(e.g., if the hole 316 is just proximal to the needle's distal end) orproximal to and radially inward of the relief zones 530 (e.g., if thehole 316 is located at a mid-point or proximal end of the needle 312)when the valve 10 is in the closed mode.

Insertion of a nozzle against the slit 130 at the proximal end of thegland 300 (e.g., at proximal gland 80) causes the cannula 310 to movedistally, thereby moving the hole 316 from its sealed position. Liquidconsequently may be directed first through the flow channel 314 and hole316, then out of the valve 10 through the outlet 120 distal port 122.

The outlet 120 has a volume that changes slightly as the needle 312 isurged proximally and distally by the nozzle. In particular, the volumeof the outlet 120 is slightly greater when in the closed mode than whenin the open mode. This slight difference in volume is due to the volumeof the needle 312 extending into the outlet 120.

In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the needle 312 is sizedto be very thin. The amount of fluid drawn back into the outlet 120 asthe nozzle is withdrawn corresponds to the volume of the needle 312required to expose the hole 316 to the outlet 120. Consequently, assuggested above, this volume is controlled by the needle diameter andthe placement of the hole 316. By making the diameter of the needle 312small and the hole 316 very close to the distal end of the needle 312,the volume of fluid drawn back through the outlet 120 is reduced and thesubsequent risk from contamination to the valve 10 minimized. In certainembodiments, the volume of fluid drawn back upon withdrawal of thenozzle is of the order of between about one and several microliters. Insome embodiments, the total volume of fluid drawn back is on the orderof about 0.5 microliters.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention may have a total length ofabout 1.160 inches, a maximum width of about 0.440 inches, and a primingvolume of 0.030-0.050 cubic centimeters. The priming volume is measuredas the volume required to fill the valve completely when in the openstate.

Conversely, other embodiments of the invention may have either a neutraldisplacement or a positive displacement upon insertion and/or withdrawalof the nozzle. For example, embodiments exhibiting neutral displacementswill have substantially the same volume within the outlet 120 during theopen mode and the closed mode. Embodiments exhibiting positive push uponwithdrawal of the nozzle will have a smaller volume within the outlet120 when the valve is in the closed mode as compared to the open mode.

As shown in FIGS. 3B, 5A, 5B, and 6, some embodiments of the presentinvention can have a variety of features that improve valve sealing andresistance to back-pressure and/or proximally directed pressures throughthe valve 10. For example, as mentioned above, the gland member 300 mayhave a top cannula seal 320A located above (e.g., proximal to) the hole316 within the cannula 310 and a bottom cannula seal 320B located below(e.g. distal to) the hole 316. Each seal provides additional sealing forthe valve 10. In particular, the top cannula seal 320A prevents fluidwithin the valve 10 (e.g., at the outlet 120) from migrating up into thecannula/resilient member interface (e.g., the top cannula seal 320Aprevents fluid from migrating up between the cannula 310 and theresilient member 300). The bottom cannula seal 320B seals the primaryfluid path (e.g., the path through channel 314) and the hole 316 andprevents fluid from entering the cannula 316 from the outlet 120 of thevalve 10 when the valve 10 is in the closed mode. Additionally, thebottom cannula seal 320B prevents fluid from passing through the valve10 and out the outlet 120 when the valve 10 is in the closed mode.

Although a variety of seal types and shapes may be used for the topcannula seal 320A and the bottom cannula seal 320B, embodiments of thepresent invention may utilize o-ring type seals that are integrated intothe gland member 300. To that end, the top cannula seal 320A and thebottom cannula seal 320B may be formed into the gland member 300 duringmanufacturing. The top cannula seal 320A and bottom cannula seal 320Bmay be made from the same material as the gland member 300 or may bemade from a separate material with different material characteristics(e.g., using a two-shot or overmold manufacturing process).

As best shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6, the outlet housing 170 may alsohave ribs 520 located near the outlet 120 of the valve 10. The ribs 520may be spaced around the diameter of the outlet 120 such that theycreate relief zones 530 between each of the ribs 520 that are in fluidcommunication with the outlet 120. The functionality of the relief zonesare discussed in greater detail below.

Each of the ribs 520 may be shaped such that they have a proximalportion 522, distal portion 524, and a shelf portion 526. Alternatively,the distal portions 524 and the shelf portions 526 may be part of theoutlet housing 170 and separate from the ribs 520. In use, the proximalportion 522, and the shelf portion 526 may interact with the glandmember 300 to help seal the valve. For example, as best shown in FIGS.5A and 5B, the shelf portion 526 may act as a rigid support for thedistal end 302 of the gland member 300. By supporting the gland member300 in this manner, the shelf portion 526 promotes deformation of thebottom cannula seal 320B (e.g., it causes the seal 320B to deform andexpand inwardly toward the cannula 310) therefore, sealing of the hole316. Additionally, the ribs 520 may be sized such that they preload thegland member and seals 320A and 320B by compressing the gland member 300(and the seals 320A and 320B) against the cannula 310. For example,embodiments of the ribs 520 may be sized to create a one thousandths ora two thousandths interference between the ribs 520 and the gland member300. By preloading the gland member 300 and seals 320A and 320B, theproximal portions 522 of the ribs 520 help provide the seal around thehole 316.

It should be noted that the friction created by the seals 320A and 320Bagainst the cannula 310 may resist the movement of the cannula 310 asthe valve 10 transitions from the open mode to the closed mode and fromthe closed mode to the open mode (e.g., the friction created between themoving cannula 310 and the seals 320A and 320B may make movement of thecannula 310 difficult). To facilitate and aid the movement of thecannula (e.g., as the valve opens or closes), the gland member 300 mayhave a small annular volume 540 (e.g., a clearance) surrounding thecannula 310 in non-sealing areas. This annular volume 540 reduces theoverall friction between the cannula 310 and the gland member 300 bylimiting the contact area to the seals 320A and 320B and allows thecannula 310 to move distally and proximally more easily. As mentionedabove, the top cannula seal 320A prevents fluid from entering thisannular volume 540.

As mentioned above and as shown in FIG. 6, some embodiments of thepresent invention may have relief zones 530 located between the ribs520. In illustrative embodiments, the relief zones 530 enhance thesealing of the hole and are in fluid communication with the outlet 120of the valve 10 when the valve 10 is in the closed mode. To that end,the relief zones 530 may provide dynamic fluid pressure sealing thatenhances the seal around the hole 316 in the presence of a proximallydirected pressure (e.g., a back-pressure). For example, because therelief zones 530 are in fluid communication with the outlet, the fluidgenerating the proximally directed pressure (e.g., air, blood, saline,etc.) may enter the relief zone, at which point, the fluid and theproximally directed pressure will create a radially inward pressuretowards the gland member 300. This radial inward pressure (e.g., axialpressure) will, in turn, further compress the seals 320A and 320Bagainst the cannula 310 and increase the seal between the cannula 310and the seal members 320A and 320B. In this manner, various embodimentsof the valve 10 may have improved back-pressure resistance because, asthe proximally directed pressure increases, the seal around the hole 316will also increase, improving the valve's resistance to leakage in thepresence of a back-pressure when in the closed mode.

In addition to providing a dynamic sealing mechanism while the valve 10is in the closed mode, some embodiments of the relief zones 530 may alsoaid the valve 10 as it transitions from the closed mode to the openmode. For example, as the valve 10 transitions and the gland member 300begins to compress and deform (see FIG. 4), portions of the gland member300 may deform into the relief zones 530. By deforming into the reliefzones 530, the gland member 300 will be less likely to deform inwardlytowards the cannula 310, which would increase the friction between thegland member 300 and the cannula 310 and make it more difficult totransition between the closed and open modes. Additionally, the reliefzones 530 help prevent the gland member from deforming distally and intothe outlet 120 of the valve 10.

As mentioned above, the ribs 520 may have a distal portion 524. Thedistal portion 524 may be located below (e.g., distal to) the stepportion 526 and may act as a guide, guide post, or a bearing for thecannula 310 as the valve 10 transitions between the open and closedmodes. In particular, as the valve 10 begins to open, distal portion 524of the ribs 520 will keep the cannula 310 generally centered within theoutlet 120 as it moves distally within the valve 10. Likewise, uponvalve closing, the distal portion 524 of the ribs 520 keeps the cannula310 generally centered as it moves proximally within the valve 10. Inthis manner, the distal portion 524 of ribs 520 helps aid smoothoperation of the valve 10 and may prevent the cannula 310 from becomingoff-center within the valve and hindering the valve from either openingor closing. Additionally, the distal portion 524 of the ribs 520 mayprevent the cannula 310 from hindering and/or disrupting fluid flowthrough the valve.

It is important to note that other embodiments of the present inventionmay have more or less ribs than that shown in FIG. 6 (or any of theother Figures). For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, some embodiments ofthe present invention may only have three ribs 520 equally spaced aboutthe outlet housing 170. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, someembodiments may have 5 equally spaced ribs 520. However, these areprovided as examples only. Other embodiments of the present inventionmay have more or less ribs 520 (e.g. an odd or even amount) and the ribs520 may or may not be evenly spaced about the outlet housing 170.

Although FIG. 4 shows the hole(s) 316 located below the ribs 5 when thevalve is in the open mode, alternative embodiments of the presentinvention may have different hole 316 locations. For example, as shownin FIG. 8, alternative embodiments may have the hole(s) 316 located suchthat, when the valve 800 is in the open mode, the hole(s) 316 may belocated within the rib/relief zone area 810. In such embodiments, whenthe fluid is transferred to the patient/subject (e.g., through thevalve), the fluid will flow through the flow channel 314, out thehole(s) 316, into the relief zones 530, and out of the outlet 120.Alternatively, when fluid is drawn from the subject/patient, the fluidmay enter the valve 800 through the outlet 120, flow into the reliefzones 530 and the hole(s) 316, and through the flow channel 314.

In embodiments like that shown in FIG. 8, the orientation of the hole(s)316 with respect to the ribs 520 may impact the flow through the valve800. For example, if the cannula 310 has two holes (or a singletransverse hole through the cannula 310 such that there is an opening oneither side of the cannula 310) and the holes 316 are aligned with ribs520, flow through the valve may be at least partially restricted (e.g.,the ribs 520 may block a portion or all of the holes 316 and prevent orreduce flow through the holes 316). Accordingly, some embodiments may beconfigured to prevent restriction/alignment of at least one of the holes316. For example, the cannula 310 may be oriented in such a way that theholes 316 do not align with the ribs 520.

Additionally or alternatively, the number of ribs 520 and the number ofholes 316 may be set to prevent alignment of at least one hole 316 witha rib 520. For example, if the valve 10 has an odd number of evenlyspaced ribs 520 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B) and the cannula 310has an even number of evenly spaced holes (e.g. two holes or the singletransverse hole described above), even if one of the holes (e.g., hole316A in FIG. 8) is aligned with a rib 520, the other hole (e.g., hole316B in FIG. 8) will not be aligned with a rib 520 and, therefore, willbe open to a relief zone 530. Flow through the hole 316B will beunrestricted.

It is also important to note that, although the above describedembodiments refer to a gland member 300 having seal members 320A and320B, other embodiments may have different seal member structures andconfigurations. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, someembodiments may have a single, solid ring seal 910 that extends along aportion of the gland member 300. The solid ring seal 910 may extend frombelow the hole 316 to a distance above the hole 316 and may provide aconstant seal (e.g., against the cannula 310) along the length of thering seal 910. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ring seal 910 mayocclude the hole(s) 316 in the cannula 310 when the valve 900 is in theclosed mode.

In embodiments having the ring seal 910, the ribs 520 and relief zones530 will provide benefits similar to those described above forembodiments having seal members 320A and 320B. For example, the reliefzones 530 may provide dynamic fluid pressure sealing that enhances theseal at the hole(s) 316 in the presence of a proximally directedpressure (e.g., a back-pressure). As discussed above, because the reliefzones 530 are in fluid communication with the outlet, the fluidgenerating the proximally directed pressure (e.g., air, blood, saline,etc.) may enter the relief zones 530, at which point, the fluid and theproximally directed pressure will create a radially inward pressuretowards the gland member 300. This radial inward pressure (e.g., axialpressure) will, in turn, further compress at least a portion (e.g.,portion 910A) of the solid ring seal 910 against the cannula 310 andincrease the seal between the cannula 310 and the ring seal 910.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an alternative embodiment of the medical valve1000 in which the seal(s) providing the dynamic sealing are not radiallyoutward from the cannula 310 (e.g., the cannula 310 does not extend intothe sealing area), as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and as discussed above.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the hole(s) 316 within the cannula310 may be located at the end of the cannula 310 and the seal member1010 may be located distal to the cannula 310 and the hole(s) 316. Theseal member 1010 may have a normally closed aperture 1020 (e.g., a slit)through which the cannula 310 may pass when the valve 1000 istransitioning from the open mode to the closed mode (see FIG. 10B).

In the presence of a proximally directed pressure (e.g., aback-pressure), the seal member 1010, in conjunction with ribs 520 andrelief zones 530, will provide benefits similar to those described abovefor the other embodiments. For example, as discussed above, because therelief zones 530 are in fluid communication with the outlet, the fluidgenerating the proximally directed pressure (e.g., air, blood, saline,etc.) may enter the relief zones 530 and create a radially inwardpressure towards the gland member 300 and seal member 1010. This axialpressure will, in turn, apply a greater closing force on the normallyclosed aperture 1020 and increase the seal created by the aperture 1020and the seal member 1010. It is important to note that, unlike some ofthe embodiments described above, embodiments with seal members 1010 donot seal against the cannula 310 when the valve is in the closed mode.The seal is created by keeping the aperture 1020 closed.

In operation, the medical valve 1000 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B operatessimilar to those embodiments described above. For example, when amedical instrument 40 is inserted into the valve 1000, the gland member300 deforms and the cannula 310 moves distally to expose the hole(s)316. However, as shown in FIG. 10B, the cannula 310 will open and passthrough the aperture 1020 as it moves distally. This, in turn, willexpose the hole(s) 316 to the outlet 120 and allow fluid to betransferred in or out of the patient/subject.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the seal member 1010 may have a largerquantity of material than the seal members 320A/B described above.Accordingly, additional space may be required to allow the seal member1010 to open and deform as the valve 1000 opens. To that end, the reliefzones 530 contained within the outlet housing 170 may be enlarged. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 11, the relief zones 530 may be deeper thanthose shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, to provide a greater space for the sealmember 1010 to deform into. It is important to note that, although thesedeeper relief zones 530, in turn, increase the length L of the ribs 520,their functioning remains substantially unchanged.

Although the above described embodiments utilize cannulas 310 with holes316 in conjunction with the gland member, other embodiments may utilizedifferent internal valve mechanisms. For example, as shown in FIG. 12some embodiments may utilize an actuator 1210 and gland member 1220. Theactuator 1210 may have leg members 1212 extending out from a bodyportion 1214. As discussed in greater detail below, the leg members 1212apply a force to the gland member 1220 as the actuator 1210 movesdistally (e.g., when a medical implement is inserted into the valve1200). The force applied to the gland member 1220 causes the glandmember 1220 to deform causing an aperture 1230 through the gland member1220 to open. Once the aperture 1230 is open, the valve 1200 isconsidered to be in the open mode.

To aid in the transition from the open mode and the closed mode, thevalve 1200 can also include a valve seat 1240. The gland member 1220 canseal against the valve seat 1240 to prevent leakage past the valve seat1240 and gland member 1220 and into space 1250. In some embodiments, thevalve seat 1240 can be angled (as shown in FIG. 12). The angled valveseat 1240 aids in valve 1200 and aperture 1230 opening because the glandmember 1220 can deform to the shape of the valve seat 1240 as theactuator 1210 moves distally.

As mentioned above, distal movement of the actuator 1210 opens the valve1200. In particular, when a medical practitioner inserts a medicalinstrument into the valve 1200 and the actuator 1210 begins to movedistally, the proximal portion 1222 of the gland member 1220 will beginto deform into space 1250. Specifically, in this embodiment, theactuator 1210 radially expands the gland member 1220 to open the valve1200. As the gland member 1220 deforms, the aperture 1230 through thegland member 1220 opens, fluidly communicating the proximal port 1260and the distal port 1270. The nurse or medical practitioner 20 can thentransfer fluid to or from the patient 30.

As noted above, the actuator 1210 may have a body portion 1214 and aplurality of leg members 1212 extending from the body portion 1214. Insome embodiments, the leg members 1212 can be connected to the bodyportion 1214 using hinges 1216 that allow the leg members 1212 to flexand/or move with respect to the body portion 1214. In particular, theleg members 1212 can pivot about the body portion 1214 and flex/moveradially outwardly as the actuator 1210 moves distally. This flexing andpivoting by the leg members 1212 applies a radially outward forceagainst the gland member 1214 and causes the aperture 350 to open.

In some embodiments, the ends of the leg members 1212 can cooperate withrecesses 1224 within the gland member 1220 to secure the actuator 1210within the valve 1200 (e.g., prevent the actuator 1210 from moving orspinning within the valve 1200) as well as aid in valve opening andclosing. It is important to note that any number of leg members 1212 canbe used in accordance with various embodiments of this invention. Forexample, the actuator 1210 may only have two leg members 1212 or theactuator can have more than two (e.g., 4 leg members 1212). Additionallyor alternatively, the actuator 1210 can have a combination of flexibleleg members and non-flexible members (e.g., 2 of each).

As mentioned above, the hinge 1216 allows the leg members 1212 toflex/move and pivot with respect to the body portion 1214. The hinge1216 can be any number of elements that allow such flexion/movement andpivoting. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the hinge 1216 may simply bea thinned area between each of the leg members 1212 and the body portion1214 (e.g., a living hinge). Alternatively, the hinge 1216 can be aseparate and distinct element that connects the leg member 1212 to thebody portion 1214. For example, the hinge 1216 may be an elastomericsleeve or elastomeric portion located between each leg member 1212 andthe body portion 1214.

In some embodiments, the actuator 1210 may have an actuator channel 1218(e.g., a flow channel) passing through the body portion 1214. When thevalve 1200 is in the open mode, the actuator channel 1218 may be part ofthe fluid channel through the valve 1200. The actuator channel 1218 mayhave any shape or size opening that allows appropriate fluid flowthrough the actuator 1210 (e.g., circular, rectangular, oval, etc.).

Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, the actuator channelmay be an indent or a groove 1219 extending along the top surface 1213and/or outside surface of the actuator 1210. In such embodiments, asfluid is introduced into the valve 800 from the medical instrument 40,the fluid will flow within the groove/indent 1219, between the legmembers 1214, through the aperture 1230 and out the outlet 120. It isalso important to note, that a similar groove/indent may be used for thecannula/plug member described above. For example, the plug member 310may be a solid member with a groove/indent extending along the topsurface and/or down the outside surface of the plug member 310. Thefluid may then flow out of the medical instrument into thegroove/indent, down the outside of the solid post member (e.g., withinthe groove/indent), and out the outlet during transfer.

Like the various embodiments described above, embodiments containing theactuator 1210 may also have the ribs 520 and relief zones 530 describedabove. To that end and as shown in FIG. 12, the gland member may have adistal portion 1224 (e.g., a sealing portion) that extend into therib/relief zone area. The ribs 520 and relief zones 530 may then providethe dynamic sealing described above with respect to FIG. 10A. Forexample, the fluid generating the proximally directed pressure may enterthe relief zones 530 and create a radially inward pressure towards thedistal portion 1224 of the gland member 1220. This axial pressure will,in turn, apply a greater closing force on the aperture 1230 and increasethe seal created by the aperture 1230.

It is important to note that the ribs 520 are not required to create therelief zones 530 for the embodiments described above. For example, someembodiments of the present invention may have an annular volume locatedaround the distal portion of the gland member 300 (e.g., between theouter diameter of the gland member 300 and the inner diameter of theoutlet housing 170) and in fluid communication with the outlet 120 ofthe valve. In such embodiments, the annular volume may act as the reliefzone and the fluid may enter the annular volume and provide the dynamicsealing described above. Furthermore, as the valve 10 transitions fromthe closed mode to the open mode, portions of the gland member 300 maydeform into the annular volume and ease the transition of the valve in amanner similar to the relief zones 530 described above.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to bemerely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparentto those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications areintended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined inany appended claims.

1. A medical valve having an open mode that permits fluid flow, and aclosed mode that prevents fluid flow, the medical valve comprising: ahousing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing also having at leastone relief zone in fluid communication with the outlet when the valve isin the closed mode; a plug member movably mounted within the passagewayand having a proximal end and a distal end, the plug member having ahole between its proximal and distal end; and a resilient member havinga first seal member, the seal member sealing the hole when the valve isin the closed mode, the relief zone being radially outward of the firstseal member.
 2. A medical valve according to claim 1 further comprising:a second seal member located proximal to the hole when the valve is inthe closed mode, the first seal member being located distal to the holewhen the valve is in the closed mode.
 3. A medical valve according toclaim 2, wherein the first and second seal members are o-rings.
 4. Amedical valve according to claim 2, wherein the first and second sealmembers are integral to the resilient member.
 5. A medical valveaccording to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ribs, theplurality of ribs defining the at least one relief zone.
 6. A medicalvalve according to claim 5, wherein the housing further includes a shelfportion, at least a portion of the resilient member being supported bythe shelf portion and the plurality of ribs.
 7. A medical valveaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one relief zone is configuredsuch that a proximally directed pressure within the valve increases theseal at the hole by creating a radially inward pressure on the resilientmember and the first seal member.
 8. A medical valve according to claim1, further comprising a plurality of guide posts at the outlet of thevalve, the guide posts centering the plug member within the outlet asthe plug member moves distally.
 9. A medical valve according to claim 1,wherein the resilient member deforms into the relief zone as the valvetransitions from the closed mode to the open mode.
 10. A medical valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the plug member has two or more holesbetween its proximal and distal end, the seal member sealing the two ormore holes when the valve is in the close mode.
 11. A medical valveaccording to claim 1, wherein the plug member is a cannula.
 12. Amedical valve according to claim 1, wherein the first seal member is aring seal extending from a first location distal to the hole to a secondlocation proximal to the hole, the ring seal providing a constant sealalong its length against the plug member when the valve is in the closedmode.
 13. A medical valve according to claim 1, wherein the opening isaligned with a relief zone when the valve is in the open mode.
 14. Aresilient member for a medical valve having a housing with an inlet andan outlet, the resilient member comprising: a body portion locatedwithin the housing, at least a portion of the body portion beingsupported by the housing, the housing having at least one relief zone influid communication with the outlet; a first seal member for creating afirst seal against a plug member within the valve, the plug member beingmoveably mounted within the passageway and having a hole, the first sealmember sealing the hole when the valve is in the closed mode, the reliefzone being radially outward of the first seal member.
 15. A resilientmember according to claim 14, further comprising: a second seal memberlocated proximal to the hole when the valve is in the closed mode, thefirst seal member being located distal to the hole when the valve is inthe closed mode.
 16. A medical valve according to claim 15, wherein thefirst and second seal members are o-rings.
 17. A medical valve accordingto claim 15, wherein the first and second seal members are integral tothe resilient member.
 18. A resilient member according to claim 14,wherein at least a portion of the body portion deforms into the at leastone relief zone as the valve transitions from a closed mode to an openmode.
 19. A resilient member according to claim 14, wherein the housingfurther includes a shelf portion and a plurality of rib members, theplurality of rib members defining the at least one relief zone, theshelf portion supporting the resilient member within the housing.
 20. Aresilient member according to claim 14, wherein the at least one reliefzone is configured such that a proximally directed pressure within thevalve increases the seal at the hole by creating a radially inwardpressure on the resilient member and the first seal member.
 21. Amedical valve according to claim 14, wherein the first seal member is aring seal extending from a first location below the hole to a secondlocation above the hole, the ring seal providing a constant seal alongits length against the plug member when the valve is in the closed mode.22. A housing for a medical valve comprising: a proximal portion havingan inlet; a distal portion having an outlet, the proximal portion andthe distal portion securing a resilient member within an interior of thehousing, the resilient member sealing a transverse hole located in aplug member supported by the resilient member; and a relief zone influid communication with the outlet such that a proximally directedpressure through the medical valve increases the seal created by theresilient member, the relief zone being radially outward of the hole.23. A housing according to claim 22 further comprising a shelf portionlocated within the distal portion, the shelf portion supporting theresilient member.
 24. A housing according to claim 22 further comprisinga plurality of rib members located within the distal portion, theplurality of rib members defining the at least one relief zone.
 25. Ahousing for a medical valve according to claim 22, wherein the resilientmember includes a first seal member located proximal to the hole and asecond seal member located distal to the hole, the first seal member andthe second seal member sealing the hole, the relief zone being radiallyoutward of the second seal member.
 26. A medical valve according toclaim 25 wherein the proximally directed pressure through the valveincreases the seal created by the first and second seal members aroundthe hole.
 27. A medical valve according to claim 25, wherein the firstand second seal members are o-rings.
 28. A medical valve according toclaim 25, wherein the first and second seal members are integral to theresilient member.
 29. A housing according to claim 22, furthercomprising a plurality of guide posts at the outlet, the guide postscentering the plug member within the outlet as the plug member movesdistally.
 30. A medical valve having an open mode that permits fluidflow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow, the medical valvecomprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing alsohaving a shelf portion and a plurality of ribs defining a relief zone influid communication with the outlet; a plug member movably mountedwithin the passageway and having a proximal end and a distal end, theplug member having a hole between the proximal end and the distal end;and a resilient member having at least one seal member located proximalto the hole and a second seal member located distal to the hole, thefirst and second seal members creating a seal around the hole, at leasta portion of the resilient member being supported by the shelf portionand the plurality of ribs, the relief zone being radially outward of thesecond seal member and configured such that a proximally directed forceapplied to the valve increases the seal created by the first and secondseal members around the transverse hole.
 31. A medical valve having anopen mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluidflow, the medical valve comprising: a housing having an inlet and anoutlet, the housing also having at least one relief zone in fluidcommunication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode; arigid member movably mounted within the passageway and having a proximalend and a distal end, the rigid member having a flow channel; and aresilient member having a proximal portion and sealing portion with anormally closed aperture, the sealing portion being distal to theproximal portion, the relief zone being radially outward of the sealingportion, the sealing portion sealing the valve and preventing fluid frompassing through the valve when in the closed mode.
 32. A medical valveaccording to claim 31 further comprising a plurality of ribs, theplurality of ribs defining the at least one relief zone.
 33. A medicalvalve according to claim 31 wherein the at least one relief zone isconfigured such that a proximally directed pressure within the valveincreases the seal provided by the sealing portion by creating aradially inward pressure on the sealing portion and the aperture.
 34. Amedical valve according to claim 31, wherein at least a portion of theresilient member deforms into the relief zone as the valve transitionsfrom the closed to open modes.
 35. A medical valve according to claim31, wherein the rigid member is a cannula, the cannula passing throughthe aperture within the sealing portion as the valve transitions fromthe closed mode to the open mode, thereby creating fluid communicationbetween the valve inlet and valve outlet.
 36. A medical valve accordingto claim 31, wherein the rigid member is an actuator having a bodyportion and a plurality of leg members extending from the body portion,wherein distal movement of the actuator causes the leg members tointeract with the resilient member to open the aperture, therebytransitioning the valve from the closed to the open mode.
 37. A medicalvalve according to claim 31, wherein the rigid member is a post member,the post member passing through the aperture within the sealing portionas the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode, therebycreating fluid communication between the valve inlet and valve outlet.